You have a storage unit. A startling one in 10 Americans pay to store excess stuff. As of year-end 2009, there were 2.4 billion square feet of public storage space in the U.S. If you are storing stuff, it's likely that you have too much.

You're over-wired. My grandmother’s house had one phone and one TV for 4 people. No one lost a life or limb. Look around your home—how many TVs, phones or computers do you really need?

You come home from shopping, and realize that you just bought… something you already have. 'Nuff said. (Note: this is sometimes called the Black Sweater Syndrome).

Bottom line If lifestyle creep is pervading your life, it's hitting your wallet. Think before you buy. Is this where I want my money to go? Tell us how you cope with lifestyle creep.

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At MoneyZen Wealth Management we help women and families with $3 million+ in assets achieve a financially calm and confident state that I call "MoneyZen". My firm does this in three steps:(1) We help clients clarify what they need & want in their lives
(2) We raise their consciousness around their current financial realities
(3) We help clients navigate the core decisions that ultimately lead to enlightened financial lives.The financial tools we use to accomplish this include: (1) Cash Flow / Monte Carlo Analysis: Identifying optimal levels of savings, spending, and sustainable withdrawal rates.(2) Portfolio Management: Investing client assets in a mix of low cost, globally diversified evidenced-based stock and bond funds (as well as individual laddered bond portfolios where appropriate) to support those saving & spending goals.(3) Financial Planning: Clarifying the additional questions to be asked of other members of your financial team (accountant, estate planner, etc.), other family members, those you are involved with philanthropically, and yourself.Our end goal it to help each client achieve a state of "MoneyZen," our word for a state of financial enlightenment where you feel reassured and safe about your ability to enjoy both today and be prepared for whatever may come tomorrow. This happens when clients are clearly focused on the intersection of what is important to them and what they can control — and take conscious, mindful financial action steps that reflect this reality. Manisha Thakor is the Founder/CEO of MoneyZen Wealth Management, a boutique financial advisory firm providing holistic investment management services for women and families with $3 million or more in investible assets. Known for making the complex simple, Manisha is also ardent financial literacy advocate for individuals of all income and wealth levels, Manisha is the co-author of two personal finance books: "On My Own Two Feet" and "Get Financially Naked." Manisha’s financial advice has been featured in national media outlets including CNN, CNBC, PBS, NPR, and The Wall Street Journal. Manisha serves as a Financial Fellow at Wellesley College, is on faculty at The Omega Institute, and sits on the National Board of the Girls Scouts of the USA. Manisha earned her MBA from Harvard Business School, her BA from Wellesley College and is a CFA charterholder. She lives in Santa Fe, NM with her wonderful husband, Randy. Her website is MoneyZen.com.